Mobile terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal is provided that includes a display unit configured to display one or more windows at a time, and a controller configured to generate a first window and a second window separate from the first window when an event occurs in the first window. The controller is configured to control the display unit to display at least one of the first window and the second window. Methods for controlling the mobile terminal are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of copending application Ser. No.13/006,925, filed on Jan. 14, 2011, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0049297, filed on May26, 2010 and to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0004903, filed on Jan.19, 2010, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by referenceinto the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal providing amultitasking environment by adjusting the size of a screen, and acontrol method thereof.

Description of Related Art

In general, terminals may be divided into a mobile or portable terminaland a stationary terminal according to whether or not terminals aremovable. In addition, mobile terminals may be divided into a handheldterminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether or not userscan directly carry it around.

As the functions of terminals are becoming more diverse, terminals cansupport more complicated functions such as capturing images or video,reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcastsignals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementingsuch functions, mobile terminals are embodied in the form of amultimedia player or device.

In order to support and increase functions of the terminals, improvementof structural part and/or software part of terminals may be considered.

However, in the related art, when the user receives a call or a textmessage while using a supplementary function of a mobile terminal, theuser must stop or temporarily stop the operation of the supplementaryfunction or the display to receive the call or check the text message.Also, in the related art, even when multitasking is available to beperformed, because an application displays information through theentire screen, the user must change the application displayed on theentire screen to perform multitasking. In addition, the related art hasa problem in that it is not easy for another application to useinformation, which is inputted or outputted in an application beingexecuted, causing a user inconvenience in using the differentapplication.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal having an input method which is different from the conventionalone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminalcapable of displaying an event that occurs or information processed by adifferent application while a user is executing a certain applicationalong with the application being currently executed according to a userintention, and facilitating an exchange of information between theexecuted applications.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a mobile terminalincluding: a display on which a window is displayed; and a controllerconfigured to provide control to generate at least one second windowdiscriminated or differentiated from a first window, when an eventoccurs in the first window.

The window may include a main window of an upper layer and at least onesub-window of a lower layer, and when a resizing command of the mainwindow is received, the controller may control the display unit todisplay a resized main window and the sub-window at an outer side suchthat the sub-window does not overlap with the resized main window.

The controller may provide control to display first and secondapplications on the first and second windows, respectively, the secondapplication may correspond to the occurring event and the controller mayprovide control to display the second application on the second windowaccording to a first user input.

When the event occurs, the controller may control the display unit todisplay notification information indicating the occurrence of the event.

The notification information may be at least one of an icon and a barwhich corresponds to the occurring event.

The event may be any one of a message reception, a video call signal, avoice call signal reception, and an alarm output.

The first user input may be a touch motion of touching down or up thenotification information or dragging the notification information.

The controller may extract information corresponding to the firstapplication according to the second user input and control the secondapplication to process the extracted information.

The second user input may be a touch motion of dragging from the firstwindow to the second window.

The mobile terminal may further include: a wireless communication unit,wherein the controller controls the wireless communication unit totransmit the extracted information to a counterpart terminal through thesecond application.

The first application may be any one of a Web browser, navigation,broadcast viewing, video reproducing, camera driving, an e-book readerapplication.

An indicator for receiving the resizing input may be displayed at oneedge of the main window, and when the indicator is touched down or up ordragged, the controller may provide control to execute resizing of themain window.

The indicator may display an application being executed in thesub-window which overlaps with the main window.

In case of a plurality of sub-windows, the plurality of sub-windows maybe disposed in a certain direction on the basis of their size and theorder according to which they have been generated.

The controller may provide control to divide the area of the displayunit according to the number of sub-windows.

When a touch input is generated, the controller may control the displayunit to change the positions of the plurality of sub-windows and displaythe plurality of sub-windows.

When a touch input occurs, the controller may provide control tointerchange the main window and the sub-window.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a method for controllinga mobile terminal, including: displaying a window on a display unit; andwhen an event occurs on a first window; generating al least one secondwindow discriminated from the first window.

The window may include a main window of an upper layer and at least onesub-window of a lower layer, and in displaying the window on the displayunit, when a resizing command of the main window is received, a resizedmain window and the sub-window at an outer side may be displayed suchthat the sub-window does not overlap with the resized main window.

The method may further include: displaying first and second applicationson the first and second windows, respectively, wherein the secondapplication may correspond to the occurring event and may be displayedon the second window according to a first user input.

The method may further include: when the event occurs, displayingnotification information indicating the occurrence of the event on adisplay unit.

The method may further include: extracting information corresponding tothe first application, and processing the extracted information by thesecond application.

The method may further include: transmitting the extracted informationto a counterpart terminal through the second application.

The event may be any one of a message reception, a video call signal, avoice call signal reception, and an alarm output.

The first user input may be a touch motion of touching down or up thenotification information or dragging the notification information.

The second user input may be a touch motion of dragging from the firstwindow to the second window.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, amultitasking environment which can be easily regulated by the user isprovided. Also, a task currently performed by the user is not interferedwith by an event, or the like, which occurs while a main application isbeing executed, and at the same time, the user can easily checkoccurring event at a desired time. Also, when the user wants to performa different operation along with the main application, the user caneasily select an application desired to be executed without interferingwith the current operation. In addition, the user can easily checkseveral applications which are being concurrently executed.

In addition, information input to or output from one of applicationswhich are concurrently executed can be easily used by a differentapplication which is being executed, thereby providing a more convenientmultitasking environment to the user.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings,which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of thepresent disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a main window and sub-windowsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4E are views showing a main window and a sub-window actuallydisplayed on a display unit according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5E are views illustrating the disposition of a plurality ofsub-windows.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing sub-windows and the main windowdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the process of controlling a mainwindow and a sub-window when an event occurs while an application isbeing executed according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A to 8F are views showing main windows and sub-windows displayingan event occurring while an application is being executed as describedwith reference to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the process of controlling the mainwindow and the sub-window when a user wants to execute anotherapplication while one application is being executed according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A to 10G show main window and sub-windows displayed when the usewants to execute another application while one application is beingexecuted as described with reference to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the process of displaying asub-window when a plurality of applications are executed through mainwindows and sub-windows;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing changing of applications outputthrough main window and sub-windows;

FIGS. 13A to 13D are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a Web browser is being driven through a mainwindow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A to 14C are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a navigation is being executed through a mainwindow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A to 15D are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a broadcast program is being viewed through amain window according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the process of the exemplaryembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 15D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A mobile terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the following description, usage of suffixes such as‘module’, ‘part’ or ‘unit’ used for referring to elements is givenmerely to facilitate explanation of the present disclosure, withouthaving any significant meaning by itself. In describing the presentdisclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related known function orconstruction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of thepresent disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would beunderstood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings of thepresent disclosure aim to facilitate understanding of the presentdisclosure and should not be construed as limited to the accompanyingdrawings.

The mobile terminal associated with the present disclosure may includemobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, digital broadcastreceivers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable MultimediaPlayer), navigation devices, and the like. It would be understood by aperson in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments ofthe present disclosure can be also applicable to the fixed types ofterminals such as digital TVs, desk top computers, or the like, exceptfor any elements especially configured for a mobile purpose.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The mobile terminal 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110,an A/V (Audio/Video) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensingunit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, acontroller 180, and a power supply unit 190, and the like. FIG. 1 showsthe mobile terminal as having various components, but it should beunderstood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not arequirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively beimplemented.

The elements of the mobile terminal will be described in detail asfollows.

The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes one or morecomponents allowing radio communication between the mobile terminal 100and a wireless communication system or a network in which the mobileterminal is located. For example, the wireless communication unit mayinclude at least one of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-rangecommunication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver (or other network entity) via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or aterrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may be a serverthat generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcastassociated information or a server that receives a previously generatedbroadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and transmitsthe same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcastsignal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and the like.Also, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signalcombined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may refer to information associatedwith a broadcast channel, a broadcast program or a broadcast serviceprovider. The broadcast associated information may also be provided viaa mobile communication network and, in this case, the broadcastassociated information may be received by the mobile communicationmodule 112.

The broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example, it mayexist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB), electronic service guide (ESG) of digitalvideo broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receive signalsbroadcast by using various types of broadcast systems. In particular,the broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcast byusing a digital broadcast system such as multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only(MediaFLO®), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T),etc. The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitablefor every broadcast system that provides a broadcast signal as well asthe above-mentioned digital broadcast systems.

Broadcast signals and/or broadcast-associated information received viathe broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160 (oranther type of storage medium).

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and/or receives radiosignals to and/or from at least one of a base station (e.g., accesspoint, Node B, etc.), an external terminal (e.g., other user devices)and a server (or other network entities). Such radio signals may includea voice call signal, a video call signal or various types of dataaccording to text and/or multimedia message transmission and/orreception.

The wireless Internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe mobile terminal. This module may be internally or externally coupledto the terminal. The wireless Internet access technique implemented mayinclude a WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax(World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High SpeedDownlink Packet Access), or the like.

The short-range communication module 114 is a module for supportingshort range communications. Some examples of short-range communicationtechnology include Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee™, and thelike.

The location information module 115 is a module for checking oracquiring a location (or position) of the mobile terminal. A typicalexample of the location information module is a GPS (Global PositioningSystem).

The A/V input unit 120 is configured to receive an audio or videosignal. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera 121 (or other imagecapture device) and a microphone 122 (or other sound pick-up device).The camera 121 processes image data of still pictures or video obtainedby an image capture device in a video capturing mode or an imagecapturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on a displayunit 151 (or other visual output device).

The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 (or other storage medium) or transmitted via the wirelesscommunication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be providedaccording to the configuration of the mobile terminal.

The microphone 122 may receive sounds (audible data) via a microphone(or the like) in a phone call mode, a recording mode, a voicerecognition mode, and the like, and can process such sounds into audiodata. The processed audio (voice) data may be converted for output intoa format transmittable to a mobile communication base station (or othernetwork entity) via the mobile communication module 112 in case of thephone call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various types of noisecanceling (or suppression) algorithms to cancel (or suppress) noise orinterference generated in the course of receiving and transmitting audiosignals.

The user input unit 130 (or other user input device) may generate inputdata from commands entered by a user to control various operations ofthe mobile terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, adome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a touch sensitive member that detectschanges in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc. due to beingcontacted) a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 (or other detection means) detects a current status(or state) of the mobile terminal 100 such as an opened or closed stateof the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, thepresence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal 100 (i.e.,touch inputs), the orientation of the mobile terminal 100, anacceleration or deceleration movement and direction of the mobileterminal 100, etc., and generates commands or signals for controllingthe operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobileterminal 100 is implemented as a slide type mobile phone, the sensingunit 140 may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. Inaddition, the sensing unit 140 can detect whether or not the powersupply unit 190 supplies power or whether or not the interface unit 170is coupled with an external device. The sensing unit 140 may include aproximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a visual,audible, and/or tactile manner (e.g., audio signal, video signal, alarmsignal, vibration signal, etc.). The output unit 150 may include thedisplay unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, ahaptic module, and the like.

The display unit 151 may display (output) information processed in themobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in aphone call mode, the display unit 151 may display a User Interface (UI)or a Graphic User Interface (GUI) associated with a call or othercommunication (such as text messaging, multimedia file downloading,etc.). When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or imagecapturing mode, the display unit 151 may display a captured image and/orreceived image, a UI or GUI that shows videos or images and functionsrelated thereto, and the like.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic LightEmitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display, or the like.

Some of them may be configured to be transparent or light-transmissiveto allow viewing of the exterior, which may be called transparentdisplays. A typical transparent display may be, for example, a TOLED(Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or the like. Throughsuch configuration, the user can view an object positioned at the rearside of the terminal body through the region occupied by the displayunit 151 of the terminal body.

The mobile terminal 100 may include two or more display units (or otherdisplay means) according to its particular desired embodiment. Forexample, a plurality of display units may be separately or integrallydisposed on one surface of the mobile telininal, or may be separatelydisposed on mutually different surfaces.

Meanwhile, when the display unit 151 and a sensor (referred to as a‘touch sensor’, hereinafter) for detecting a touch operation areoverlaid in a layered manner to form a touch screen, the display unit151 may function as both an input device and an output device. The touchsensor may have a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, andthe like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert pressure applied to aparticular portion of the display unit 151 or a change in thecapacitance or the like generated at a particular portion of the displayunit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may beconfigured to detect the pressure when a touch is applied, as well asthe touched position and area.

When there is a touch input with respect to the touch sensor, acorresponding signal (signals) are transmitted to a touch controller.The touch controller processes the signals and transmits correspondingdata to the controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 mayrecognize which portion of the display unit 151 has been touched.

With reference to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed withinor near the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 is a sensor fordetecting the presence or absence of an object relative to a certaindetection surface or an object that exists nearby by using the force ofelectromagnetism or infrared rays without a physical contact. Thus, theproximity sensor 141 has a considerably longer life span compared with acontact type sensor, and it can be utilized for various purposes.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 may include a transmission typephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, amirror-reflection type photo sensor, an RF oscillation type proximitysensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic proximitysensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and the like. In case where thetouch screen is the capacitance type, proximity of the pointer isdetected by a change in electric field according to the proximity of thepointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classifiedas a proximity sensor.

In the following description, for the sake of brevity, recognition ofthe pointer positioned to be close to the touch screen will be called a‘proximity touch’, while recognition of actual contacting of the pointeron the touch screen will be called a ‘contact touch’. In this case, whenthe pointer is in the state of the proximity touch, it means that thepointer is positioned to correspond vertically to the touch screen.

By employing the proximity sensor 141, a proximity touch and a proximitytouch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touchspeed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximitytouch movement state, or the like) can be detected, and informationcorresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and theproximity touch pattern can be outputted to the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may convert and output as sound audio datareceived from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in thememory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode,a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like.Also, the audio output module 152 may provide audible outputs related toa particular function performed by the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., a callsignal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audiooutput module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, or other soundgenerating device.

The alarm unit 153 (or other type of user notification means) mayprovide outputs to inform about the occurrence of an event of the mobileterminal 100. Typical events may include call reception, messagereception, key signal inputs, a touch input etc. In addition to audio orvideo outputs, the alarm unit 153 may provide outputs in a differentmanner to inform about the occurrence of an event. For example, thealarm unit 153 may provide an output in the form of vibrations (or othertactile or sensible outputs). When a call, a message, or some otherincoming communication is received, the alarm unit 153 may providetactile outputs (i.e., vibrations) to inform the user thereof. Byproviding such tactile outputs, the user can recognize the occurrence ofvarious events even if his mobile phone is in the user's pocket. Outputsinforming about the occurrence of an event may be also provided via thedisplay unit 151 or the audio output module 152. The display unit 151and the audio output module 152 may be classified as a part of the alarmunit 153.

A haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects the user may feel.A typical example of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module154 is vibration. The strength and pattern of the haptic module 154 canbe controlled. For example, different vibrations may be combined to beoutputted or sequentially outputted.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 154 may generate various othertactile effects such as an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a sprayforce or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suctionopening, a contact on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostaticforce, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth usingan element that can absorb or generate heat.

The haptic module 154 may be implemented to allow the user to feel atactile effect through a muscle sensation such as fingers or arm of theuser, as well as transferring the tactile effect through a directcontact. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store software programs used for the processing andcontrolling operations performed by the controller 180, or maytemporarily store data (e.g., a phonebook, messages, still images,video, etc.) that are inputted or outputted. In addition, the memory 160may store data regarding various patterns of vibrations and audiosignals outputted when a touch is inputted to the touch screen.

The memory 160 may include at least one type of storage medium includinga Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-typememory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), aStatic Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), anElectrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), aProgrammable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the mobile terminal 100 may be operatedin relation to a web storage device that performs the storage functionof the memory 160 over the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with every external deviceconnected with the mobile terminal 100. For example, the externaldevices may transmit data to an external device, receives and transmitspower to each element of the mobile terminal 100, or transmits internaldata of the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, theinterface unit 170 may include wired or wireless headset ports, externalpower supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memory card ports,ports for connecting a device having an identification module, audioinput/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports, or the like.

The identification module may be a chip that stores various types ofinformation for authenticating the authority of using the mobileterminal 100 and may include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriberidentity module (SIM) a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), andthe like. In addition, the device having the identification module(referred to as ‘identifying device’, hereinafter) may take the form ofa smart card. Accordingly, the identifying device may be connected withthe terminal 100 via a port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradleto be supplied therethrough to the mobile terminal 100 or may serve as apassage to allow various command signals inputted by the user from thecradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Variouscommand signals or power inputted from the cradle may operate as signalsfor recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on thecradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the general operations of themobile terminal. For example, the controller 180 performs controllingand processing associated with voice calls, data communications, videocalls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module181 for reproducing multimedia data. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured within the controller 180 or may be configured to beseparated from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition processing torecognize a handwriting input or a picture drawing input performed onthe touch screen as characters or images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power or internal power andsupplies appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components under the control of the controller 180.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software,hardware, or any combination thereof.

For hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented by using at least one of application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronic units designed to performthe functions described herein. In some cases, such embodiments may beimplemented by the controller 180 itself.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures orfunctions described herein may be implemented by separate softwaremodules. Each software module may perform one or more functions oroperations described herein. Software codes can be implemented by asoftware application written in any suitable programming language. Thesoftware codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by thecontroller 180.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal includes a bar type terminal body 101. Without beinglimited thereto, the present invention can be also applicable to a slidetype mobile terminal, a folder type mobile terminal, a swing type mobileterminal, a swivel type mobile terminal and the like, including two ormore bodies.

The terminal body includes a case (or casing, housing, cover, etc.)constituting the external appearance of the terminal body. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are installed inthe space between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. One or moreintermediate cases may be additionally disposed between the front case101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may bemade of a metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium(Ti), etc.

The display unit 151, the audio output module 152, camera 121, and theuser input unit 130 (131, 132), the microphone 122, the interface 170,and the like, may be located on the terminal body, namely, mainly, onthe front case 101.

The display unit 151 occupies the most portion of the front surface ofthe front case 102. The audio output unit 151 and the camera 121 aredisposed at a region adjacent to one of both end portions of the displayunit 151, and the user input unit 130 and the microphone 122 aredisposed at a region adjacent to another of the both end portions. Theuser input unit 132, the interface 170, and the like, may be disposed atthe sides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive commands forcontrolling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include aplurality of manipulation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131and 132 may be generally called a manipulating portion, and they canemploy any method so long as they can be manipulated in a tactile mannerby the user.

Content inputted by the first and second manipulation units 131 and 132may be variably set. For example, the first manipulation unit 131receives commands such as start, end, scroll, or the like, and thesecond manipulation unit 132 may receive commands such as adjustment ofsize of a sound outputted from the audio output unit 152 or conversionto a touch recognition mode of the display unit 151.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal illustrated inFIG. 2A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 2B, a camera 121′ may additionally be disposed ona rear surface of the terminal body, namely, on the rear case 102. Thecamera 121′ may have an image capture direction which is substantiallyopposite to that of the camera 121 (See FIG. 2A), and may support adifferent number of pixels (i.e., have a different resolution) than thecamera 121.

For example, camera 121 may operate with a relatively lower resolutionto capture an image(s) of the user's face and immediately transmit suchimage(s) to another party in real-time during video call communicationor the like. Meanwhile the camera 121′ may operate with a relativelyhigher resolution to capture images of general objects with high picturequality, which may not require immediately transmission in real time.The cameras 121 and 121′ may be installed on the terminal such that theyare rotated or popped up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124, may be additionally disposed adjacent tothe camera 121′. When an image of the subject is captured with thecamera 121′, the flash 123 illuminates the subject. The minor 124 allowsthe user to see himself when he wants to capture his own image (i.e.,self-image capturing) by using the camera 121′ of the second body 205.

An audio output unit 152′ may be additionally disposed on the rearsurface of the terminal body. The audio output unit 152′ may implement astereoscopic function along with the audio output unit 152 (See FIG.2A), and may be used for implementing a speaker phone mode during callcommunication.

A broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be disposed at the side ofthe terminal body in addition to an antenna that supports mobilecommunications. The antenna 116 forming a portion of the broadcastreception module 111 (in FIG. 1) may be installed to be protracted.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100may be mounted on the terminal body 101. The power supply unit 190 maybe installed in the terminal body or may be directly detached from theoutside of the terminal body.

A touch pad for detecting a touch may be additionally mounted on therear case 102. Such touch pad may be configured to be light-transmissivelike the display unit 151. In this case, when the display unit 151 isconfigured to output visual information from both sides thereof, thevisual information can be recognized through the touch pad 135.Information outputted to the both sides of the display unit 151 may beall controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may beadditionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may bedisposed on the rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 is operated in relation to the display unit 151 of thefront case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed to be parallel to therear side of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the samesize or smaller than the display unit 151.

A control method that may be implemented in the terminal configured asdescribed above according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The exemplary embodiments to be described may be used alone ormay be combined to be used. Also, the exemplary embodiments to bedescribed may be combined with a user interface (UI) so as to be used.

FIG. 3A shows a main window, FIG. 3B shows sub-windows, FIGS. 4A to 4Eare views showing a main window and a sub-window actually displayed on adisplay unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thedisplay unit may have at least two layers. In an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, a main window may refer to a window of an upperlayer, and a sub-window may refer to a window of a lower layer than thatof the main window. Here, the window refers to a manipulated screen ofthe mobile terminal or a single screen displaying input and outputinformation as an application is executed. The window may occupy theentire screen of the display unit or a portion of the entire screen.

Individual applications or the same application may be executed on eachwindow. Functions that can be executed on each of the windows mayinclude various applications such as a voice or video call, a textmessage reception or origination, text chatting, sound resourcereproducing, playing games, the mobile Internet, a DMB, navigation, anE-book reader, a camera, a phone book, a document creator, and the like.

When the mobile terminal is in a standby mode (namely, the mobileterminal is in a state in which a particular application is not executedand waits for an event occurrence or a user input), or when oneapplication is being executed, information is displayed through only amain window occupying the entire screen.

The size of the main window 200 may be changed according to a userinput. For example, horizontal or vertical bars 201 and 202 aredisplayed at edges of the main window, and when the user drags the barsthrough a touch screen, the controller provides control to resize themain window according to the user's drag position. Or, an indicator 204may be displayed at the corner of the main window 200 to allow the userto drag it to change the size of the main window. When the main windowis resized, the controller newly outputs the information, which has beenoutput through the main window, according to the size of the changedmain window.

When two or more applications are executed (including execution of oneapplication and the occurrence of one event), one is output through themain window and the other is output through a sub-window. Two or moresub-windows may be provided according to the number of executedapplications. As for the sub-windows, the entire screen of a lower layermay be divided into sub-window (301, 302, 303) and simultaneouslydisplayed, regardless of the relationship between the upper and lowerlayers.

As discussed above, the mobile terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may be configured to include adisplay buffer (not shown) for recording and storing image datadisplayed on the display unit 151 such that the main window and at leastone lower sub-window can be displayed, and a screen controller (notshown) configured to output image data to the display buffer to allow acorresponding screen image to be displayed on the display unit 151 andcontrol the display buffer. The display buffer and the screen controllermay be implemented to be included in the display unit 151. Here, thescreen controller determines which screen image is to be displayed onthe display unit 151 under the control of the controller 180 and controldividing or disposing of a screen window to allow a main window and/orsub-window to be output to the display unit 151. Also, one or moredisplay buffers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention are controlled, and in this case, image data is output to thedisplay buffer or updated according to a layer or position of a windowto be output.

With reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E, only a portion of a sub-window of alower layer which is not covered by the main window of an upper layer isdisplayed on the display unit. Also, the main window of the upper layeris not covered by the sub-window of the lower layer. Thus, by variablyregulating the size of the main window, the main window and a portion ofthe sub-window which does not overlap with the main window can bedisplayed together.

FIG. 4A shows a case in which the size of the main window is regulatedto allow two sub-windows to be displayed. FIG. 4B shows a case in whichone sub-window is displayed. FIG. 4C shows a case in which onesub-window an portions of two sub-window are displayed. FIG. 4D shows acase in which the main window is reduced to its maximum level such thatthe main window is not displayed and three sub-windows are displayed.With reference to FIG. 4E, the name 401, 402, and 403 of theapplications being executed in each of the sub-windows are displayed ata lower portion of each of the sub-windows, and only the names 401 and402 of the executed applications or the name 403 and the sub-window 303may be displayed together by adjusting the size of the main window.

The size of the main window may be selected from among certain sizes asillustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4B, or may be successively changed accordingto a user input regardless of the disposition of the sub-window.

FIGS. 5A to 5E are views illustrating the disposition of a plurality ofsub-windows.

The size of each of the sub-windows may vary depending on the number ofthe sub-windows, or may be fixed. With reference to FIG. 5A, when thereare four sub-windows, each sub-window has a size obtained by quarteringthe screen size of the overall display unit. If there are twosub-windows, each sub-window would have a size obtained by halving thescreen size of the overall display unit.

Differently, with reference to FIGS. 5B to 5E, each sub-window may havea sized size regardless of the number of the sub-windows. For example,each sub-window may have a size obtained by trisecting the screen sizeof the overall display unit. FIG. 5 shows a case in which twosub-windows are disposed and a far-right area is empty. FIGS. 5C to 5Dshow a case in which four sub-windows are disposed. The sub-windowsdisplayed on the display unit can be interchanged by shifting thesub-windows disposed in a row according to a user input. In case of FIG.5C, as the user drags the sub-windows to the left, sub-windows sub2,sub3, and sub4 are displayed (of course, they are displayed only whennot covered by the main window. Of course, the array of sub-window maybe shifted to the far right to display the sub-window sub1, while theother remaining space may remain empty (namely, the sub-windows aredisposed in a row), or the sub-windows sub3 and sub4 (namely, thesub-windows may be disposed in a circular form).

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing sub-windows and the main windowdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E. FIG. 6A shows asub-window disposed like that of FIG. 5C and a main window resized tohave a two-thirds size. As illustrated, only the sub-window sub4 isshown, while the sub-windows sub2 and sub3 are not shown as beingcovered by the main window. By dragging the displayed sub-window area,the user is able to shift the disposed sub-windows and change theresultantly displayed sub-windows.

With reference to FIG. 6B, indicators 602, 603, and 604 indicatingsub-windows covered by the main window and an indicator 605 of asub-window, which is positioned at a right side of the displayedsub-window and not displayed, may be displayed.

With reference to FIGS. 5A to 6B, the sub-windows are generated in theoccurrence of an event such as an execution of an application by theuser, a call signal reception, a text message reception, alarming whilean application is being executed on a main window, and when theapplication executed according to a user's input or the like isterminated, the sub-windows become extinct. The plurality of sub-windowsmay be disposed in a row according to the sub-window generation order,to finally displayed order, the frequently displayed order, the orderset by the user, and the like. For example, the first generatedsub-window sub1 may be disposed at the far left, and the most recentlygenerated sub-window sub4 may be disposed at the far right.

For example, a virtual sub-window (new) 501 to be newly generated may bepositioned at a right side of the most recently generated sub-window.For example, in a state of being displayed as shown in FIG. 5C, when theuser drags the sub-window to the left, the new sub-window sub5 502 isgenerated. A standby screen image, a manipulated screen image, anapplication list available for multitasking, and the like, may bedisplayed on the sub-window sub5, without executing a particularapplication. When the user simply drags the sub-window to the rightwithout any other manipulation, the sub-window sub5 may become extinct.Or, as shown in FIG. 5A, it may be constantly displayed (503) like thealready generated sub-windows.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the process of controlling a mainwindow and a sub-window when an event occurs while an application isbeing executed according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

When the mobile terminal is turned on, a standby mode screen image isdisplayed on the main window of the display unit of the mobile terminal(step S100). As described above, the standby mode refers to a state inwhich various function keys or menu keys are displayed and a user'sinput or an event occurrence awaits.

When the user selects an application (App0) desired to be executed byusing the menu key, or the like, displayed on the display unit (stepS110), the controller loads the application selected by the user andexecutes it, and provides control to output information processed by theapplication through a main window of the display unit (step S120).

When the controller detects an occurrence of an event in the course ofexecuting the application App0 (step S130), an indicator indicating theoccurrence of the event, or the like, is displayed (step S140). Theevent may be a call signal reception, a text message reception,alarming, and the like, and the indicator may be an icon, a characterbox, and the like, indicating the corresponding event as generated.

With the indicator displayed, a sub-window with respect to the generatedevent is generated (step S150). The generated sub-window is notdisplayed until before a user's input, and the main window is maintainedto be the same as before. Information regarding the event may be storedin the display buffer for the sub-window, or an application related toan event is executed and information processed and outputted accordinglymay be stored in the display buffer for the sub-window.

In order to check the generated event, the user reduces the main windowby dragging the bar at the edge of the main window or the indicator(step S160).

When the main window having the reduced size is input by the user, thecontroller provides control to continuously output the information,which is output from the application App0, through the main windowhaving the size changed according to the size of the input main window(step S170).

At the same time, a sub-window not covered by the main window as themain window is reduced in size is displayed on the display unit, andevent information, or the like, is displayed through the sub-window(step S180).

FIGS. 8A to 8F are views showing main windows and sub-windows displayingan event occurring while an application is being executed as describedwith reference to FIG. 7.

With reference to FIG. 8A, information processed by a certainapplication App0 is output through the main window occupying the entirescreen of the display unit.

With reference to FIG. 8B, when a text message is received while theapplication App0 is executed, an indicator 801 having a shape of an iconindicating the text message reception is displayed along with a signalsound indicating the text message reception or without a signal sound.The indicator may blink until such time as the user checks it or for acertain period of time. Or, the indicator may serve as an indicator forregulating the size of the main window. In order to check the receivedtext message, the user drags the indicator to the left.

With reference to FIG. 8C, as the user drags the indicator, the size ofthe main window is reduced and a sub-window 810, which has been coveredby the main window, is displayed. If there is no sub-window covered bythe main window, the indicator may not be displayed or a meaninglessindicator 802 may be displayed.

When the user checks the text message, the user may touch an OK key 803to close the sub-window 810 on which the text message is displayed. Whenthere is no any other sub-window, the main window is returned to anentire screen or a sub-window displaying a screen image of a standbymode may be displayed.

With reference to FIG. 8D, when a reply (804) key of a reception messagechecking sub-window 810 is touched, a sub-window 820 for sending a textmessage is displayed. The displayed information may be simply changedfrom the sub-window 810 for checking a reception message as shown inFIG. 8C, but a sub-window 820 different from the sub-window for checkinga reception message may be generated. As described above, the sameapplication may be executed in two or more windows. While the sub-window820 for originating a message is generated, the sub-window 810previously displayed for checking the reception message is shifted tothe left and covered by the main window, not being displayed. Anindicator 801 for indicating it may be displayed on the main window.

With reference to FIG. 8E, when the user drags the indicator 801 to theleft, the sub-window 810 for checking a reception message, which hasbeen covered, is displayed. The user may create a text message and sendit, while viewing the received text message.

With reference to FIG. 8F, the user may drag the indicator 802 displayedin the main window in the course of checking and sending the textmessage (or the user may drag the bar displayed at the edge of the mainwindow or simply drag the edge of the main window) to cover a portion ofa sub-window, one sub-window, or the entire sub-windows. The coveredsub-window are simply not shown, rather than being closed, and anapplication being executed in the sub-window is not affected. Indicators801 and 805 indicating the applications executed by the coveredsub-windows may be displayed on the main window occupying the entirescreen.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the process of controlling the mainwindow and the sub-window when a user wants to execute anotherapplication while one application is being executed according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When the mobile terminal is turned on, a standby mode screen image isdisplayed on the main window of the display unit (step S200). Asdescribed above, the standby mode refers to a state in which variousfunction keys or menu keys are displayed and a user's input or an eventoccurrence awaits.

When the user selects an application (App0) desired to be executed byusing the menu key, or the like, displayed on the display unit (stepS210), the controller loads the application selected by the user andexecutes it, and provides control to output information processed by theapplication through a main window of the display unit (step S220).

When the user wants to execute another application together whileexecuting the application App0, the user drags the bar or the indicatorat the edge of the main window to reduce the main window (step S230).

When the main window having the reduced size is input by the user, thecontroller provides control to continuously output the information,which is output from the application App0, through the main windowhaving the size changed according to the size of the input main window(step S240).

Also, because there is no already generated sub-window, a sub-window isnewly generated and displayed according to the reduction in size of themain window (step S250). Or, when the main window is reduced, an emptyspace is displayed, and as described above, when the user drags theempty space to the left, a new sub-window can be generated anddisplayed.

A standby mode screen image for displaying a list of applications to beexecuted or various function keys or menu keys may be displayed on thenewly generated sub-window (step S260).

The user selects an application (App1) desired to be executed throughthe standby screen of the sub-window (step S270). The controller loadsand executes the application selected by the user, and provides controlto output information processed by the application through thesub-window of the display unit (step S280).

When the application (App1) executed on the sub-window according to theuser input, or the like, is terminated, the controller closes thesub-window (step S300). Accordingly, the sub-window becomes extinct, andthe main window can be enlarged to the entire screen. When the userenlarges the main window without terminating the application (App1)(step S310), the sub-window is maintained, rather than becoming extinct,and the information processed by the application App0 is output throughthe main window occupying the entire screen (step S320).

FIGS. 10A to 10G show main window and sub-windows displayed when the usewants to execute another application while one application is beingexecuted as described with reference to FIG. 9.

With reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, information processed by a certainapplication (App0) is output through the main window occupying theentire screen of the mobile terminal (FIG. 10A). When the user wants toexecute another application together in the course of executing theapplication App0, the user drags a bar or an indicator 1001 at the edgeof the main window to reduce the main window. The indicator may have aform of an icon indicting that a sub-window is newly generated.

With reference to FIG. 10C, as the user reduces the main window, asub-window 1010 is displayed. A list of application that can beexecutable may be displayed on the newly generated sub-window 1010.

With reference to FIG. 10D, when the user selects an application fromthe application list, the controller executes the selected application(App1) and outputs information through the sub-window 101. When the userwants to execute another application while the application App1 is beingexecuted through the sub-window 1010, the user drags the sub-window tothe left as described above.

With reference to FIG. 10E, when there is a drag input in the course ofexecuting the application App1 in the sub-window, a new sub-window 1020is generated, and a standby screen image is displayed on the sub-window102. The sub-window 1010 on which the application App1 is being executedis shifted to the left and covered by the main window, and an indicator1012 indicating it is displayed on the main window. Of course, the usermay further reduce the main window to the left to display both of thesub-windows 1010 and 1020.

With reference to FIGS. 10F and 10G, when an event occurs while theapplication App1 is being executed on the sub-window 101, an indicator1013 indicating the occurrence of the event may be displayed and blink.When the user drags the indicator or the sub-window to the left, thesub-window 1010 on which the application App1 is being executed isshifted to the left and covered, and a sub-window 1030 displayinginformation regarding the generated event is generated.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the process of displaying asub-window when a plurality of applications are executed through mainwindows and sub-windows.

In a state in which information output from the application App0 throughthe main window occupying the entire screen is displayed (step S400),the user drags the bar or the indicator of the main window to reduce themain window in order to check a sub-window (step S410).

The controller reduces the main window and displays the outputinformation of the application App0 through the reduced main window(step S420).

Also, the controller displays a sub-window (n) in a space generatedaccording to the size reduction in the main window (step S430). Asdescribed above, one or more sub-windows may be displayed according tothe size of the reduced main window. The displayed sub-window may be themost recently generated sub-window, the most recently displayedsub-window, and the like.

With the sub-window displayed (step S430), when the user want so changethe sub-window being displayed, for example, the user may drag thedisplayed sub-window to the left or to the right to shift thesub-window(s) (step S440). Or the user may change the displayedsub-window by clicking or dragging the indicator with respect to eachsub-window displayed on the main window or the sub-window.

When a drag is inputted in a first direction, e.g., when a first drag isinputted by the user, a sub-window (n−1), which has been generatedbefore the displayed sub-window was generated, is displayed (step S450),and when a drag is inputted in a second direction, e.g., when a leftdrag is inputted, a later generated sub-window (n+1) may be displayed(step S460). When there is no later generated sub-window, a newsub-window is displayed and a standby mode screen image may bedisplayed.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing changing of applications outputthrough main window and sub-windows. When two or more applications arebeing executed, information processed by the first executed applicationmay be output through a main window, and the subsequently executedapplication may be output through a sub-window. When the user wants tooutput the application, which is being executed on the sub-window,through the main window, or vice versa, the application executed on themain window may be changed according to a user input.

With reference to FIG. 12A, with the main window and the sub-windowdisplayed, when the user drags the sub-window sub3 to the main window ordrags the name (App1) of the application executed in the sub-window tothe main window, the application being executed in the main window ischanged from the application App0 to the application App1 or App3 andthe application App0 is executed in the sub-window.

With reference to FIG. 12B, the main window occupies the entire screenand indicators of applications executed in sub-windows covered by themain window are displayed on the main window. In this state, when theuser drags one (App1) of the displayed indicators to the main window ordouble clicks the application App1, the application being executed inthe main window is changed from the application App0 to the applicationApp1, and the application App0 is executed in the sub-window.

In the above description, the main window and the sub-windows arepositioned at upper and lower layers, respectively, and the sub-windowof the lower layer not covered by the main window is displayed accordingto resizing of the main window, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. The present invention can be applicable to any case in whichdisplaying of a certain application through the main window ismaintained and an event or a different application generated accordingto a user control can be displayed (on a sub-window) simultaneously.

For example, regardless of the relationship of upper and lower layers ofa main window and a sub-window, the entire screen may be divided (into amain window display area and a sub-window display area) according to auser's resizing input to simultaneously display a main window and asub-window.

Also, when a certain input (e.g., a touch input of an indicator) isdetected without resizing a main window (so the main window occupies theentire screen), a sub-window may be displayed in the form of apicture-in-picture (PIP) on the main window. The divided sub-windowdisplay area or the PIP correspond to a portion not covered by the mainwindow of the upper layer as described above, so the methods asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3A to 12B can be applicable inthe same manner. Besides, the present invention can be applicable tovarious cases in which two or more windows are displayed on the samescreen.

Hereinafter, a method of simply using information, which is input oroutput or processed in each application, by a different application in amultitasking environment in which two or more windows are displayed onthe same window will now be described in detail.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a Web browser is being driven through a mainwindow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When the user drives a Web browser of the mobile terminal, the Webbrowser is displayed through a main window occupying the entire screen.When the user wants to send a particular Web page to a counterpartterminal by using a text message service, and the like, the text messagecreation application is driven and displayed on a sub-window asdescribed above (See FIG. 13A).

When a certain signal is input, the controller 180 inputs informationprocessed by the application executed in the main window, namely,processed by the Web browser, to the application executed in thesub-window, namely, to the text message creation application (See FIG.13B).

The certain signal may be a signal of dragging a Web page beingdisplayed on the main window and dropping it to the sub-window on whichthe message creation application is being executed.

The information processed by the Web browser may be an Internet accessaddress such as a URL related to the Web page being currently displayed,image information obtained by converting the currently output Web pageinto an image format such as a screen capture, or the like.

When the information is input to the text message creation applicationof the sub-window, the received URL and/or an image of the Web page isdisplayed on a text message creation window, and a text message, a phonenumber of a counterpart, and the like, are received from the user andthe URL information and/or Web page image information to the counterpartterminal.

Upon receiving the message including the URL information and/or imageinformation, the terminal discriminately displays the URL informationand/or image information of the message (See FIG. 13C). When the userselects the displayed URL information and/or image information through atouch or the like, the controller 180 detects it and drives the Webbrowser to access the received corresponding Web page and display it onthe main window or the sub-window (See FIG. 13D).

FIGS. 14A to 14C are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a navigation is being executed through a mainwindow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When the user drives a navigation of the mobile terminal, a map isdisplayed through a main window occupying the entire screen. When theuser wants to transmit information regarding the currently displayedmap, the user's current location, a destination, a movement path, andthe like, by using a text message service or the like to the counterpartterminal, the user drives the text message creation application anddisplays it on a sub-window (See FIG. 14A).

When a certain signal is input, the controller 180 input an applicationexecuted in the main window, namely, information process by thenavigation, to the application being executed in the sub-window, namely,to the text message creation application (See FIG. 14B).

The certain signal may be a signal of dragging the map being displayedon the main window and dropping it to the sub-window on which the textmessage creation application is executed, by the user.

The information processed by the navigation may refer to coordinateinformation of the map currently displayed, the location informationregarding the user's current location, destination, and the like,movement path information, vicinity area information, and/or imageinformation obtained by converting the map currently displayed on themain window into an image format, or the like through a screen capture,or the like.

When the information is inputted to the text message creationapplication of the sub-window, the coordinate information, the locationinformation, the movement path information, the vicinity areainformation and/or image information as received is displayed on a textmessage creation window, and a text message, a phone number of acounterpart, and the like, are received from the user and theinformation is transmitted to the counterpart terminal.

Upon receiving the message including the information, the terminaldiscriminately displays the coordinate information, the locationinformation, the movement path information, the vicinity areainformation and/or image information of the message (See FIG. 14C). Whenthe user selects the displayed location information, and the like,through a touch, or the like, the controller 180 detects it, drives thenavigation, and displays the map of a point related to the receivedcorresponding information on the main window or the sub-window. Theuser's current location, destination, a movement path, vicinity areainformation, and the like, may be displayed on the map according to thereceived information.

FIGS. 15A to 15D are views showing transmitting and receiving a messagethrough a sub-window while a broadcast program is being viewed through amain window according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

When the user drives a broadcast view application or various videoreproducing application of the mobile terminal, a video such as abroadcast, or the like, is displayed through a main window occupying theentire screen. When the user wants to transmit information regarding thecurrently displayed video by using a text message service or the like tothe counterpart terminal, the user drives the text message creationapplication and displays it on a sub-window as described above (See FIG.15A).

When a certain signal is input, the controller 180 input an applicationexecuted in the main window, namely, information process by thebroadcast view application, to the application being executed in thesub-window, namely, to the text message creation application (See FIG.15B).

The certain signal may be a signal of dragging the video being displayedon the main window and dropping it to the sub-window on which the textmessage creation application is executed, by the user.

The information processed by the broadcast view application may refer tochannel information of a currently reproduced program, title,information regarding a broadcast time, image information capturedduring the reproducing operation, and the like. In case of the videoreproducing application, the information processed by the videoreproducing application refer to information regarding a file name ofthe video being reproduced, a contents title, an access address relatedto a VOD, and the like, the position of a currently reproduced frame, animage captured during the reproducing operation, and the like.

When the information is input to the text message creation applicationof the sub-window, the program information and/or image information asreceived is displayed on a text message creation window, and a textmessage, a phone number of a counterpart, and the like, are receivedfrom the user and the information is transmitted to the counterpartterminal.

Upon receiving the message including the information, the terminaldiscriminately displays the program information and/or image informationof the message (See FIG. 15C). When the user selects the displayedprogram information, and the like, through a touch, or the like, thecontroller 180 detects it, drives the broadcast view application or thevideo reproducing application and reproduces a program or a videorelated to the received corresponding information. When frameinformation of a particular position of the video is included to bereceived, the reproducing may be started from the corresponding frame(See FIG. 15D).

In the above embodiment, the Web browser, navigation, broadcast viewapplication or video reproducing application, the message creationapplication, and the like, have been described, but the presentinvention is not limited thereto. For example, an application that isable to exchange information simultaneously executed and processed mayinclude a camera-related application, a voice/video call, text/videochatting, an E-book reader, a document editor, various games, a phonebook, and the like.

Information delivered from one application (e.g., which is displayedthrough a main window) being executed to another application (e.g.,which is displayed through a sub-window) being executed may be imageinformation obtained by capturing the main window.

Also, the delivered information may be particular information which isinput/output or processed according to an executed application. Forexample, in case of a camera-related application, the deliveredinformation may be an image captured by the camera or a preview image.In case of the E-book reader, the title or author of an E-book beingcurrently displayed, a page or a sentence being displayed, or E-bookfile information being displayed. In case of a phone book-relatedapplication, the delivered information may be information such as aname, a phone number, an e-mail, an address, an image, and the like,selected by the user. As for each information, a certain identifier foridentifying the type of each information may be added to the informationand then delivered, or the information may be converted into a certainformat and then delivered.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the informationdelivered between applications may be determined according to theapplication executed in the main window and/or the sub-window, orinformation to be delivered may be selected according to a userselection.

In the above description, the message creation application is mainlydescribed as the application executed in the sub-window, but the presentinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the application whichreceives information from another application being executed may includea video call, video/text chatting, a document creator, and the like, aswell as the text message creation application. The information deliveredfrom the application being executed in the main window may be processedby the application executed in the sub-window. For example, in case of avideo call-related application, a received image may be transmitted as asubstitute image to a counterpart or various types of informationreceived via a data channel, or the like, may be transmitted to thecounterpart.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the process of the exemplaryembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 15D.

When an application to be executed is selected by the user, thecontroller 180 drives the application APP1 and displays it through amain window occupying the entire screen (step S510). While theapplication APP1 is being driven, when an event occurs and a command forresizing the main window is input by the user or when anotherapplication APP2 to be executed simultaneously is selected by the user,the controller reduces the main window and displays a sub-windowdisplaying the APP2 (including information or the application related tothe generated event) along with the main window (step S520).

In the state in which the main window and the sub-window aresimultaneously displayed, when a certain input, for example, a touchinput for dragging from the main window to the sub-window is detected,the controller 180 inputs the information related to the applicationAPP1, e.g., information processed by the application APP1, informationinputted to be processed by the application APP1, information processedby the application APP1 and output, and the like, so that thecorresponding information can be processed by the application APP2 (stepS540).

The controller 180 processes the input information by the applicationAPP2 and performs a certain function according to the application APP2.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the above-described methodcan be implemented as codes that can be read by a processor in aprogram-recorded medium. The processor-readable medium includes a ROM, aRAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storagedevice, and the like. The processor-readable medium also includesimplementations in the form of carrier waves or signals (e.g.,transmission via the Internet).

The mobile terminal according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure is not limited in its application of the configurations andmethods, but the entirety or a portion of the embodiments can beselectively combined to be configured into various modifications.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

The terms used in the present application are merely used to describeparticular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure.

As the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims. Therefore, various changes and modifications that fallwithin the scope of the claims, or equivalents of such scope aretherefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a touch screen;and a controller configured to control an operating system of the mobileterminal to: display information of a first application on the touchscreen in response to a selection of the first application to executethe first application; display, on the display unit, the list ofapplications to be executed when a user request is received fordisplaying the list of application, wherein the list of applications isnot displayed before the user request is received; and receive, from thelist of applications, a selection of a second application to execute thesecond application and respectively display the information of the firstapplication in a first window and information of the second applicationin a second window on the display unit, wherein both of the first windowand the second window are displayed on the touch screen, wherein thelist of applications is disappeared from the touch screen when thesecond application is executed on the second window, and wherein thefirst application executed in the first window is different from thesecond application executed in the second window.
 2. The mobile terminalof claim 1, wherein the list of applications comprises a plurality ofapplications available for multitasking.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim1, wherein the list of applications are hidden from view when the secondapplication is executed on the second window.
 4. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the first window is a main window and the second windowis a sub-window.
 5. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the list ofapplications comprises at least one of a voice call application, a videocall application, a text message application, a text chattingapplication, a game application, a mobile internet application, a DMBapplication, a navigation application, an E-book reader application, acamera application, a phone book application, or a document creatorapplication.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controlleris further configured to display a horizontal bar at an edge of thefirst window, and to resize the first window when the horizontal bar isdragged through the touch screen.
 7. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to display on the touchscreen an indicator indicating an occurrence of an event, wherein theevent is a video call signal, a call signal reception, a text messagereception, or an alarm event, and wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: display a text message associated with the text messagereception in response to an input thereof; and display an edit windowfor replying to the text message in response to an input thereof.
 8. Themobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the indicator is in a form of anicon or a character box.
 9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein thefirst application is a web-browser and the second application is a textmessage application.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, whereininformation processed by the web-browser is applied to the text messageapplication in response to an input thereof.
 11. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein a position of the first window is exchanged with aposition of the second window in response to an input thereof.
 12. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the size of the first window isenlarged to be equal to the size of the touch screen if the secondwindow is closed in response to a touch input to a first designated keyon the touch screen, and wherein the size of the second window isenlarged to be equal to the size of the touch screen if the first windowis closed in response to a touch input to a second designated key on thetouch screen.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the touchscreen is divided to simultaneously display the first window and thesecond window on a same layer.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the size of the first window is reduced to be equal to the sizeof the second window in response to the selection of the secondapplication.
 15. A method for controlling a mobile terminal, the methodcomprising: controlling an operating system of the mobile terminal to:display information of a first application on a touch screen of themobile terminal in response to a selection of the first application toexecute the first application; display, on the touch screen, the list ofapplications to be executed when a user request is received fordisplaying the list of application, wherein the list of applications isnot displayed before the user request is received; and receive, from thelist of applications, a selection of a second application to execute thesecond application and respectively display the information of the firstapplication in the first window and information of the secondapplication in a second window on the display unit, wherein both of thefirst window and the second window are displayed on the touch screen,wherein the list of applications is diapered on the touch screen whenthe second application is executed on the second window, and wherein thefirst application executed in the first window is different from thesecond application executed in the second window.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the list of applications comprises a plurality ofapplications available for multitasking.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the executing the second application comprises disappearing thelist of applications from view.
 18. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: displaying a horizontal bar at an edge of the first window;and resizing the first window when the horizontal bar is dragged throughthe touch screen.